Michael Dukakis Public Service Internship Award

Governor Michael Dukakis endowed a public service internship at UMass Dartmouth in 1996 to provide students with experience in government service and to encourage them to consider a future career in public service. Dukakis served as Massachusetts governor from 1975-1979 and 1983-1991, the longest serving governor in the state’s history. In 1988 he was the Democratic Party nominee for President of the United States.

The endowment provides for paid internships in government service, primarily at the state and local levels within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The intent of the internships is to rekindle a sense of enthusiasm, optimism and hope and to reach out to talented students to give them the encouragement they need to consider a career in public service. As the Governor has stated, “It is absolutely essential to reach out to our best young people so they can experience public service at the earliest possible age. There is nothing one can do that is more fulfilling or satisfying in a personal sense than being of service to others.”

For 2015-2016, the Dukakis public service intern will receive $5,000 to work for a period of at least three months (at least 330 hours) in a public service or government setting. The work will likely be done during the summer, or, by arrangement, during a semester of academic year. Internship arrangements are made through the student's academic advisor and the Dukakis Internship Director. Furthermore, students may have the option to earn up to six hours of academic credit through their major department.

ELIGIBILITY FOR THE AWARD

1. Any full time undergraduate or graduate UMD student, who will be enrolled at UMass Dartmouth during AY 2015-2016, is eligible to apply for the Dukakis Public Service Internship. Students from all majors are encouraged to apply for the award.

2. Applicants must have at least a 3.0 grade point average and have completed at least one full-time semester at UMass Dartmouth prior to the application deadline. Applicants may apply at any point in their academic career, but preference will be given to applicants who are further along.

3. Applicants must demonstrate a current interest in public service and the possibility of a career in this area.

4. No individual may receive more than one Dukakis Public Service Internship.

2. A typed statement of no more than 500 words to explain the student’s interest in public service, which should include an explanation of the applicant's views on leadership.

3. A current resume that includes the applicant’s leadership experiences and extracurricular activities.

4. An official copy of the student's current academic transcript.

5. A letter of recommendation from a faculty sponsor.

APPLICATION FORM - Click here: Dukakis Award Application FormForms are also available in the office of the Leduc Center for Civic Engagement (LARTS Building room 031).

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 4:00PM, FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015. Completed applications must be returned to the Michael Dukakis Public Service Selection Committee, Leduc Center for Civic Engagement, (LARTS Building Room 031), no later than 4:00 pm, Friday March 6, 2015.

It is anticipated that the recipient of the Dukakis internship will be announced in mid-April 2015.